BARTON TARGETS CLINICAL EDGE

30 April 2017

James Hilsum

The midfielder is keen to keep learning in the FAWSL.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Kirsty Barton feels the team has adapted well to making the step up to the FAWSL 2, but stressed the need to be more clinical ahead of the side’s trip to Everton this afternoon, kick-off 2pm.

The 24-year-old has appeared in all six of the club’s FAWSL Series fixtures this season and noticed the key differences playing in the second tier of women’s football.

She said, “I find this level more physical than last season.

“Personally, I want to be able to move the ball more quickly. That’s a focus for me. Taking one and two touches and moving the ball on.

“I want to switch play more quickly, things like that.

“As a team we need to start taking chances. That is what is letting us down.

“We are not losing heavily and we have drawn a few games so we are obviously competing.”

Today’s game is the second of two long away trips for the Seagulls after last week’s narrow 1-0 defeat at Durham, and Barton says these games are good for team camaraderie.

“There is more travelling this year but that means you get to spend more time with each other as a team so it’s good for bonding.

“We stayed up the night beforehand, which allows us to prepare better and avoids making such a long journey on the day of the game.”

“But the main thing is to make sure we get the right result following a disappointing outcome to the game last week.”